STATES LOOKING AT CLEANING UP OHIO RIVER POLLUTION - EPA Stats Say Parkersburg-Marietta Area Among Worst In USA

(12/27/2008)
The 981-mile Ohio River still has serious pollution problems.

West Virginia is cooperating with five other states and the federal government to clean up about 475 miles of the Ohio River.

That part of the river is sometimes unfit for swimming because of sewage.

An analysis of more than 14,000 samples taken from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, revealed high fecal counts following heavy rains.

Additionally, the great river has other pollution problems, including Mercury, which has led to highly restricted eating of fish.

The new commission will be working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to develop a clean-up plan.

The river's environmental concerns come following a USA Today report using EPA information, which says the air in the Parkersburg-Marietta area is among the worst in America.

USA Today linked their study to community schools, saying the EPA has essentially withheld the information.

See   WV And OH Schools In First Percentile, Says USA Today